Photo by: Walter Iooss, Jr. / SI

The above picture is the cover of the May 3, 2010 issue of Sports Illustrated where columnist Tom Verducci sat down with the core four and chatted with them over lunch (it was the first time the four of them where together without a bunch of other teammates). Everyone knows about all the SI cover jinx rumors where if a team is on the cover they will undoubtedly lose, and of course it is all just myth and legend, or is it? Since the cover has leaked three of the four Yankees have gone down with injury. Mariano Rivera has had side issues, Jorge Posada has a calf strain, and Andy Pettitte left his start Wednesday afternoon with stiffness in his left arm. Now all eyes will be on Derek Jeter the only one still standing of the core four. This brings up another interesting issue though, maybe the Yankees are starting to get a little to old.

The injured members of the core four are 37, 38, and 40 (none have yet to have a birthday this year) so is it really a coincidence these three guys happen to be fighting injuries? The Yankees got rid of Matsui and Damon to get younger, but the simple fact is the team as a whole is still old. Asides from Phil Hughes none of the starters are under 30 (Sabathia will be 30 in 2 months) . Including Posada in the lineup since he has not been put on the DL the ages of the lineup go: 35-31-30-34-27-38-29-26-35/33 and some of these guys have yet to have a birthday this year. This is a winning lineup so I am not saying I want to change the team, but I hope the Yankees are sure in their future starters who are currently in the minors. Everyone knows about Jesus Montero and some of the pitching prospects, but replacing Mo will be next to impossible and even the position players since it is a toss up whether they will actually have a future.

I am sure the Yankees will try their hardest to win again this season and hopefully they win every year until the last of the core four is gone, because after that who knows what the Yankees will look like. In the mean time a message to Sports Illustrated please leave us off your cover!

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Well the expected is now official as Joe Girardi said before Monday nights game vs Baltimore that Javier Vazquez will not pitch in the upcoming weekend series at Fenway Park. Girardi’s exact words were “We’ll give him a couple days to catch his breath” and apparently Javy asked the Yankee skipper to not change the schedule but Joe would have no part of it. It is hard to doubt a manager who just won a World Series but I can’t help thinking this actually might be the wrong move.

I have defended Javy over and over and I am no longer making excuses for him, but is pitching in Detroit really better than pitching in Fenway? Granted as much as the Red Sox have been struggling things are different during a Yankees/Red Sox series and the pressure is heightened, but lets be honest these are just not the Red Sox that used to put fear into pitchers. This team was just swept by Baltimore! They, much like Javy, are lacking confidence so that gives us two more arguments. One is if Javy was to struggle against the struggling Sox would the Yankees know 100% that this is a lost season? The other argument is as a Yankee fan are you afraid if the Red Sox smack Javy they will suddenly gain a ton of confidence and go on a roll? I am torn on the issue of Javy versus the BoSox but I am terrified of the idea of Javy versus the Tigers.

The Tigers are off to a solid start, 16-10 entering Monday night, but their recent success is not my biggest concern. The number one and two batters in the Tigers lineup are Austin Jackson and Johnny Damon, respectively, who as we all know have close ties to the Yankees. Both of these players would want nothing more than to trample the Yankees and prove a point to Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenners. AJax and Damon are already off to good starts and I am not confident that Javy can get out either guy even if they didn’t have extra incentives. I am far from thinking Javy would’ve shut down Boston, but I am even further from thinking he will be able to shut down the Tigers. For now all we can do is wait and see Girardi gets paid the big bucks for a reason, and I am only here to offer my opinion. So What do you think?

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Game One: The Derek Jeter Show

White Sox 4 Yankees 6

W: Aceves L: Thornton Sv: Rivera

The first game of the series didn’t start the way the Yankees envisioned as the preview for the series said a sweep seemed possible, but after the top of the 1st that was already in doubt. With two on in the first inning Paul Konerko hit a homerun off of Andy Pettitte to give the ChiSox an early 3-0 lead. Derek Jeter wanted nothing to do with the Yankees early deficit so he got things going in the first with a single, his first of three hits and was one of the two runs to score to cut the score to 3-2 after the 1st. Andy settled down after the first inning and only gave up one more run in the game, and the Yankees would tie the game on a Jeter 2-Run shot in the 5th. Then came the 7th inning with two men on and none other then Derek Jeter up to the plate; Derek smacked a triple and gave the Yankees a 6-4 lead which is the way the game would end as Mariano closed the door in the 9th for his seventh save.

Game Two: The Javier Vazquez Show

White Sox 7 Yankees 6

W: Linebrink L: Robertson Sv: Jenks

Some shows have short life spans and unless Javier Vazquez makes some drastic changes immediately he may get the ax. I have tried my best to support Javy through all his bad starts but this time I just can’t. In his worst showing in my opinion Javy couldn’t even record an out in the 4th inning and was pulled after giving up 5 ER in 3 IP. Despite Javier leaving the Yankees in a 5-1 whole and allowing Andruw Jones (2 HRs) to return to ’96 form, the Yankees battle back. The Yankees even took the lead for a half inning after a 4 run 7th which was capped off by a 2-Run Nick Swisher HR.   Unfortunately the Yankee pen couldn’t shut the door this time and the team of David Robertson and Damaso Marte gave the White Sox the lead back. This time it was Bobby Jenks turn and he closed the door on the Yanks for his fifth save. It should be interesting to see if Girardi skips over Javy’s next start with the day off Thursday.

Game Three: The Thank God its May Show

White sox 3 Yankees 12

W: Hughes L: Buehrle

I wish there was a real way to explain it but I just don’t think it is possible May is here and once again Mark Teixeira has shown up. After having only 11 hits total in April Mark has already totaled 6 hits in May, in only 8 ABs. The Yankees tallied 12 runs in Sundays rubber game victory spread out over five separate innings. The Yankees had three home runs Sunday afternoon from Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, and Brett Gardner (no that is not a typo). Phil Hughes also put together another amazing start not giving up a run in seven innings of work, and the Mark Melancon came in to mop up the last six outs (allowing 3 R 2 ER). The Sunday afternoon win made the Yankees 5-1 in rubber games this season.

Around the AL East:

• Baltimore Swept Boston in a 3 game series
• Tampa Bay split a four game series with Kansas City
• Toronto took 3 of 4 verse Oakland

AL East Updated Standings:

1. Tampa Bay Rays 18-7
2. New York Yankes 16-8
3. Toronto Blue Jays 13-13
4. Boston Red Sox 11-14
5. Baltimore Orioles 7-18

• Jeter: 6-12, HR  6 RBI  4 R  3B
  
• Gardner: 6-11, HR  3 RBI  6 R  2 SB
• Swisher: 5-13, 2 HR  4 RBI  3 R
• Teixeira: 6-11, 3 RBI  3 BB  3 R
• Cano: 3-12, HR  4 RBI  2 BB (average down to a poor .387)
• Thames: 1-7, RBI
• Johnson: 1-8, 2 RBI  2 K
• Rodriguez: 3-9, 3 RBI
• Pettitte: 6 IP  7 H  4 ER  3 K  2 BB  1 HR
  
• Vazquez: 3 IP  7 H  5 ER  2 K  4 BB  3 HR
  
• Hughes: 7 IP  4 H  0 R  6 K  BB (W)
• Aceves:  2.2 IP  H  BB  0 R  (W Friday)
• Robertson: 0.1 IP  1 H  2 ER  BB (L Saturday)
• Marte: 0.2 IP  H  (BS)
• Mitre: 3 IP  0 H  2 BB  K
• Melancon: 2 IP  2 H  2 ER  K  HR
• Rivera: IP  2 K  (S Friday)

*Granderson Placed on 15 Day DL after Saturdays game- Expected to miss 4-6 Weeks*

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On February 16, 2004 the Texas Rangers traded the 2003 AL MVP, Alex Rodriguez, to the New York Yankees for Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later. The Yankees reportedly gave the Rangers a list of minor leaguers and they were told to select one. The Rangers made their decision, and on April 23, 2004 the Yankees sent Joaquin Arias to the Rangers to complete the trade. Arias was not the only minor leaguer on the list the Yankees gave to Texas of course one of the more interesting names to accompany Arias was Robinson Cano a 21 year old infielder from the Dominican. The rest is history as Miquel Cairo played second for the Yanks in 2004 then Robinson Cano was called up in 2005 and has put together a great career so far, but what if Texas had selected Cano instead of Arias?

If Texas would’ve kept Cano in their system and not traded him he likely would’ve been called up in 2006 when Alfonso Soriano was traded to the Nationals, and his career would’ve took off from there but how would this change have affected the Yankees? The Yankees should consider themselves lucky the Rangers chose Arias instead of Cano, because an outlook on how things could have turned out at 2nd aren’t great. The Yankees signed Tony Womack going into the ’05 season and without Cano there to force Womack off of second the Yankees may have had to live with Womack, who had his worst career year in 2005 with the Yankees. After the 2005 season there was a minimum amount of talent available at second in free agency so the starting 2nd base job possibly would have been a spring training battle between minor leaguers Andy Cannizaro, Caonabo Cosme, Kevin Escalona, Russ Johnson, and Andy Phillips. If you are interested not one of those guys are currently in the MLB or on any MLB minor league affiliate. Knowing the Yankees brass it is safe to say Brian Cashman would have made some sort of deal to get an everyday second basemen but the likelihood is still that player would not be what Robinson Cano is now. Robinson Cano now in his 6th MLB season has made strides to be a complete player; he is a top tier hitter, a top tier defender, and has demonstrated above average power.

To think only 6 years ago Cano was almost a player to be named later, thats right he could have been the PTBNL scrolling across the bottom line on ESPN when the A-Rod for Soriano deal was announced. Now the Yankees are 16-8 a season after winning their 27th title and Robinson Cano with 9 HR 21 RBI and a .387 AVG leads the Yankees in all three categories, thank you John Hart you deserve your own plaque amoung all the Yankee greats.

The official word came out tonight on Curtis Granderson’s injury suffered in the Yankees 7-6 loss to the White Sox Sunday afternoon and it is a Grade II strain to his left groin. Curtis has been placed on the 15 Day DL but the usual time table for this type of injury is 4-6 weeks.

No more pulling Brett Gardner out of games to mix and match as the center field is now all his. Randy Winn and Marcus Thames will platoon in left for the time being, but instead of calling up an OF the Yankees called up Mark Melancon to fill his roster spot (but I am assuming a position player will be added to the roster by the time Baltimore plays the Yankees on Monday night). Although Granderson was struggling this is a big loss for the Yanks who are not very deep in the outfield.

By the way before all Yankee fans start the “AJAX” chants, yes Austin Jackson is having a hot start for the Tigers and Granderson has struggled a bit but they have the same amount of RBI and Jackson has 33 K in 24 GP. The Yankees major concern with Austin was he was striking out way to much for someone who still was not showing power and so far that still seems to be the case. Let us all just wish Curtis a quick recovery and that this time off will allow him to come back even stronger.

Early in the Yankees season the two biggest stories in the Bronx have been the April struggles of Mark Teixeira, again, and the hot start by the Yankees new number five hitter in the order, Robinson Cano. Last season both players had similar starts to their seasons but what do these starts mean for them this year?

Mark Teixeira

April 2010: 20 GP 10 hits 2 HR 9 RBI 15 BB 18 K .133 AVG

April 2009: 19 GP 14 hits 3 HR 10 RBI 17 BBs 12 K .200 AVG

May 2009: 28 GP 38 hits 13 HR 34 RBI 10 BB 24 K .330 AVG

What this means: Last April was the worst opening month of Teixeira’s career, and then this season started. Teixeira’s ’09 April is a MVP month compared to this April as Teixeira’s average is 67 points lower this April. Yes his HR and RBI numbers will likely still be at the norm for Tex come September, but his average it seems like may suffer due to his start. If Mark has a May identical to the one he had last season his average will be at .252 (after May last season his average went up to .281). If Mark wants to get to at least where he was last year he will probably have to have three months like his 2009 September (when he hit .343). Some people don’t care to much about average but would you be OK with Teixeira putting up 2006 Jason Giambi numbers (37 HR 113 RBI .253 AVG)? In my opinion as long as Mark’s situational numbers  are up at the end of the season the Yankees can survive a steep dip in his average.

Robinson Cano

April 2010: 20 GP 30 hits 6 HR 15 RBI 6 BB 10 K .390 AVG

April 2009: 22 GP 34 hits 5 HR 16 RBI 6 BBs 9 K .366 AVG

May 2009: 28 GP 31 hits 4 HR 15 RBI 4 BB 6 K .272 AVG

What this means: Last April with A-Rod out the Yankees struggled, but they stayed afloat due to some guys, like Cano, having hot starts to the season. Then coming into this year people saw the potential for even bigger things from Cano, because of the departure of Hideki Matsui he would get a chance to bat fifth and he hasn’t disappointed. Cano early on has done the impossible by topping his April 2009 with a monstrous start to the 2010 season. When he comes up no one watching expects him to get out, and his .390 average through 20 games leads the entire MLB. The only trips in Cano’s step last season were his May/June numbers where he hit a still very respectable .272 and .270 respectively. Cano in his career has always warmed up with the weather, hitting 37 points higher post all star game then pre-all star game and those pre numbers will be the key to his season. If Cano can keep his “bad” months to one instead of two he will likely have a season just like his 2006 where he hit .342. It is hard to imagine Cano slowing down looking very comfortable in his new spot in the order. My guess is Cano will compete with his 2006 numbers and likely even make a strong case for AL MVP.

The Yankees may only be 3-4 in their last 7 games but it’s definitely not due to a lack of production in the five hole. Robinson Cano is 14-18 in his last 7 games with 2 HR and 5 RBI, one of those HRs coming in last nights victory in game two verse Balitmore. Cano’s HR made the game 6-0 but the Yankees were in command from the start, putting up two runs in the first then tacking on three in the second. CC Sabathia put together his fourth consecutive solid outing going 7.2 IP shutting down the Orioles hitters.

• CC Sabathia is now 10-1 with 2.62 ERA in his Career vs Baltimore. Sabathia’s win last night put him at 3-1, last season Sabathia did not register his 3rd win until May 14th (and he already had 3 loses).
• Jeter 2-4 2 RBI
• Swisher 3-5 2 RBI
• Posada left the game after the top of the 2nd inning after being hit behind his knee with a pitch by Guthrie. The injury was not serious though (contusion) and the Yankees are calling his injury day-to-day. Cervelli filling in after Posada left was 2-4 with an RBI.

Yankees Record: 13-7 (8-6 away) – 2nd in AL East

Around the AL East:

- Boston 2 @ Toronto 0

- Oakland 3 Tampa Bay 10

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Game One

Yankees 4 Angels 6

W: Rodney L: Chamberlain Sv: Fuentes

The first game of the season was plagued by bad moves made by Joe Girardi, covered in an article by Rob: \”Girardi’s Moves Cost Yankees the Game\”. In the end there were more inconsistencies shown by Joba Chamberlain and a game winning home run by Kendry Morales, who we will see later in the series recap.

Game Two

Yankees 7 Angels 1

W: Pettitte L: Pineiro

Game two was,  in his second straight start, the Andy Pettitte show. Andrew Eugene once again gave the Yankees 8 IP and shut down the Angels hitters. Andy didn’t need them, but the hitting looked sharp also Saturday afternoon. Robinson Cano had another great game with a 4-5 day and Brett “The Hitman” Gardner was 3-5 and added his 9th SB of the season. Francisco Cervelli who started at catcher for the 2nd straight game also added 2 RBI also the Yanks made game two look easy.

Game Three

Yankees 4 Angels 8

W: Kazmir L: Vazquez

Well let the Javier Vazquez bashing begin, for the 4th consecutive start. I am not going to justify any of Javy’s starts but I’m also not ready to throw the guy under the bus. He has in two starts been bitten by the Thames bug, that guy really can’t field, and it is still early. I’d like to give him to his 11th start which we be about 1/3 into the season. Javier is still a horse and if he can give us 13 wins I’d take it (our number 4 last season was 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA lets not get greedy people). In my opinion more importantly game three showed some more brain lapse moves by Girardi as he over used the bull pen once again. Alfredo Aceves had only been used once in 8 days, having 15 pitches, but Girardi impatient as always pulled Aceves in favor of Marte who gave up a 3-Run HR to Morales on a 3-0 pitch. Girardi noted from the duggout that Morales would be aggressive, but didn’t decide to walk him. Girardi even said himself after the game it was his mistake. All I ask is for Yankee fans to relax and have a little more patience as the world is not over if Javy isn’t dominant, and now its time to trample Baltimore.

Yankees record through 1st 18 games (2000-2010):

2010: 12-6
**2009: 9-9
2008: 9-9
2007: 8-10
2006: 10-8
2005: 7-11
2004: 8-10
*2003: 15-3
2002: 11-7
*2001: 10-8
**2000: 12-6

Bold = Winning Record

** = Won WS

* = Lost WS

• Jeter: 4-14, 3 RBI  SB
• Johnson: 1-4, K (1 for last 23) *Back injury did not play games 2 or 3*
• Teixeira: 1-11, RBI (.119 season average)
• Rodriguez: 3-14, RBI
• Cano: 6-11, HR  3 RBI  5 R
• Posada: 1-8, HR  2 RBI
• Granderson: 0-8, 3 BB  2 K
• Swisher: 3-10, HR  3 RBI
• Gardner: 4-10, 3 R  SB
• Cervelli: 1-5, 2 RBI  2 BB
• Peña: 0-4, K
• Thames: 1-2, BB  R
• Burnett (Friday): 6.1 IP  9 H  4 ER  3 K  2 BB
• Pettitte (Saturday): 8 IP  6 H  1 ER  8 K  0 BB (114 pitches, 75 strikes)
• Vazquez (Sunday): 3.2 IP  5 H  5 ER  3 K  3 BB 1 HR  (78 pitches) *9.00 season ERA*
• Chamberlain: 1 IP  3 H  2 ER  1 HR, Loss
• Marte: 1.2 IP  2 H  3 ER  BB  HR
• Logan: 1 IP  H  K

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Game One

Rangers 1 Yankees 5 (6 innings)

W: Sabathia L: Wilson

With the clouds hanging from above in the 1st inning it was quite obvious from the start Friday night’s game would likely be a short one. The conditions were terrible and it was seen early one the players were battling the field. Texas scored in the first, but the Yankees answered in their half of the inning to tie the game at one. The Yankees added three runs in the 4th after many sloppy plays by the Texas defense then added one more in the 6th after a Derek Jeter single. The game would wind up ending there as the game would not resume after a rain delay following the end of the 6th inning. CC Sabathia took advantage of the aggressive Rangers hitters and came away with nine strike outs on the night.

Game Two

Rangers 3 Yankees 7

W: Burnett L: Feldman

Game two was much more fan friendly than game one as this game went nine full innings but much of the same was seen out of the Rangers. Conditions were not nearly as bad but the Rangers continued to play sloppy baseball. They were only given one error but that does not reflect how poor their performance was on the field. Derek Jeter added his 3rd HR of the year, Alex Rodriquez finally broke out to get his first HR of the 2010 season, and A.J. Burnett shutout the Rangers over 7 IP but Saturday was the Brett Gardner show. Brett went 3-4 each of his hits coming by way of the infield single (none of which seemed to pass the pitchers mound). After the game Ron Washington even compared Gardner using his speed as a major weapon for the Yankees to the skills of Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki.

Game Three

Rangers 2 Yankees 5

W: Pettitte L: Harden Sv: Rivera

Keeping the theme of the rest of the series game three showed another masterful performance by a Yankee pitcher. Andy Pettitte struggled early but never lost his cool. In the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings he threw 11, 6, and 9 pitches respectively, and was able to complete eight innings for the first time since August of last year in Baltimore. On the hitting end Mark Teixeira ended his HR drought with his first of the year in the 3rd inning to tie the game at one.  Ramiro Pena, in for Derek Jeter who was battling a head cold, broke the tie in the 3rd with a 2-RBI single with the bases loaded in the 3rd inning, and then Jorge Posada continued his hot hitting with a HR in the 7th. To cap off the sweep Mariano Rivera came in to close out the game 1-2-3 striking out two Rangers.

*The Sunday game marked the 10th straight game the Yankees have not made an error*

• Jeter: 5-8, HR  3 RBI  1 R
• Johnson: 0-9, RBI  4 BB 4 K (.158 season average)
• Teixeira: 2-11, HR  2 RBI (.114 season average)
• Rodriguez: 3-6, HR  4 BB  3 R
• Cano: 1-9, RBI
• Posada: 4-8, HR  4 R
• Granderson: 2-9, RBI  3 K
• Swisher: 0-10, BB (.200 season average)
• Gardner: 5-7, RBI  4 R  4 SB
• Sabathia (Friday): 6 IP  3 H  1 ER  9 K  0 BB
• Burnett (Saturday): 7 IP  6 H  0 R  7 K  2 BB
• Pettitte (Sunday): 8 IP  4 H  2 ER  4 K  3 BB
• Bullpen (Aceves, Marte, Chamberlain, Rivera): 4 IP  2 H  3 ER (all hits and ER allowed by Aceves) 5 K  1 BB
• Hamilton/Guerrero/Cruz: 3-29, HR  4 RBI  3 R  7 K

*Yankees Record to Date (4/18/10): 9-3*

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What a day and what a game this afternoon as the Yankees opened the season at home in their usual classy fashion.

The pre-game ceremonies for the first time since opening day 2001 included the Yankees receiving World Series rings. The first guy to receive his ring was Yankee trainer Gene Monhan who has taken a leave from the Yankees as he battle throat and neck cancer. It was a truly touching moment as Gene came out looking great and all the players were excited to see him. We here at Bronx Baseball Daily wish Gene a quick recovery!

The Yankees also played some jokes at the ring ceremony as Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher both received fake rings before being given the real deal. After Matsui received his ring all the Yankees went over to him and embraced him in a very nice moment.

Even though it wasn’t seen live the ceremonious first pitch was delivered by Bernie Williams who bounced the ball, but still nice to see Bernie. Before I get to the game recap I also want to mention a special thank you to The Boss George Steinbrenner, who received his ring prior to the ceremony from Derek Jeter and Joe Girardi,  who has given us Yankee fans a team we can all be proud of and see succeed every season.

Believe it or not there was also a game this afternoon which pitted Andy Pettitte against Ervin Santana. Hideki Matsui got his first at bat verse his old team early but struck out on a check swing. The Yankees were able to get on the board early after Nick Johnson hit his first HR of the season, and the first of the year at Yankee Stadium, to put the Yankees up 1-0. The Yankees added another solo shot in the 3rd inning this time off the bat of the Yankee captain Derek Jeter giving Andy Pettitte a 2-0 lead. Pettitte was superb today shutting down the Angels for 6 innings, but the Yankees would wind up needing the insurance runs they got throughout the game.

The Yankees scored 4 more runs combined in the 4th and 6th innings after a Jeter single and Alex Rodriguez single. After Morales hit a solo HR for the Angels in the top of the 8th inning off of Chan Ho Park to ruin the shutout the Yankees answered with their own two runs in the 8th after a Posada double and Granderson single, giving the Yankees a 7-1 lead. The 9th did not go as smoothly as the Yankees would have wished as David Robertson struggled and gave up a grand slam to ex-Yankee Bobby Abreu to make the game 7-5. Joe Girardi brought in Mariano Rivera for what was then a save situation and wound up getting Matsui to pop out to close the game. A fitting ending to a great Yankee opener.

Final: Angels 5 Yankees 7

Game MVP: Andy Pettitte

Notes:

• Matsui: 0-5 in his return to NY
• Jeter: 2/5 HR 2 RBI
• Johnson: 2/3 HR RBI 2 BB
• Rodriguez: 2/5 2 RBI
• Cano: 2/5
• Posada: 3/4  RBI
• Granderson: 2/5  RBI SB
• Abreu: 1/5 Grand Slam
• Morales: 3/4 HR RBI
• Pettitte: 6 IP 5 hits 0 ER 3 BB 6 K
• E. Santana: 5.2 IP 8 hits 5 ER 5 BB 7 K
• W:Andy Pettitte L:Ervin Santana Sv:Mariano Rivera
• Javier Vazquez has a chance to redeem himself tomorrow in game 2 of the series (1:05pm EST)

Around the AL East:

- Tampa Bay @ Baltimore 7:05 pm

- Chicago (AL) @ Toronto 7:07 pm

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